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Mark Warner

Politicians and other public figures are increasingly using new social networking technologies such as Facebook and Twitter to increase publicity and make announcements to the public and mass media. These images show sections of Senator Mark…

U.S. Senate

The federal "No Child Left Behind" Act was created to ensure equal quality of education for all students. One frequent problem in education is the "achievement gap" between students from different backgrounds. Some examples of this include: low…

U.S. Congress, House and Senate

The federal "No Child Left Behind" Act was created to ensure equal quality of education for all students. One frequent problem in education is the "achievement gap" between students from different backgrounds. Some examples of this include: low…

John Warner

This document is part of the Congressional Record of what legislators say when the Senate is in session. Former Virginia Senator John Warner (as opposed to Senator Mark Warner) discusses his views on federal No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, and why…

U.S. Supreme Court

This document provides the text of the landmark Supreme Court case, Marbury v. Madison (1803), the first Supreme Court case which declared an act of Congress illegal. That action created a legal precedent of Judicial Review.

Virginia General Assembly

The Virginia General Assembly has created a quick form to look up your state elected officials. By filling in your address, you can find who represents your interests in the Virginia Senate and House of Representatives, as well as in the U.S. Congress. The website also provides contact information for your legislators, as well as a convenient link to each legislator’s official website.

American Public Media

Budget Hero gives players an opportunity to try to manage the Federal budget by making budget decisions without breaking the bank. Players can choose up to three major issues to focus on, such as national defense, health and wellness, energy independence, and efficient government. The game provides details about individual issues (such as funding for mass transit and other infrastructure), which can inform players about some of the major policy issues being dicussed right now. The game is aimed at the Federal budget, but some of the policy decisions affect state and local governments.

Public Agenda

This website provides a wealth of up-to-date coverage of current issues, from America's role in the international community to Social Security. A large section for educators includes resources for teachers, students, parents, and leaders. Topics such as the rising cost of college tuition are particularly relevant for those involved in education. While there are limited resources specifically aimed at Virginia, the broader issues covered by the website can easily be oriented to fit discussions about their specific application on the state and local level.

National Archives and Records Administration

The National Archives website features a lesson plan about the separation of powers on a federal and state level that revolves around a history of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s court packing during the 1930s. It includes background information on the time period, as well as a primary source document in which a newspaper publisher warns that FDR’s actions may lead to “absolutism and complete dictatorial power.” The website also features a document analysis worksheet and teaching activities.

Judiciary NOW

In a speech before the American Law Institute, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court John Roberts, Jr. discusses the importance of an impartial judiciary. An impartial judiciary is both independent from other branches of government and unswayed by…